Manchester United managerial target now asks Pep Guardiola about lift in Manchester | OneFootball

One potential managerial successor to Erik ten Hag at Manchester United has reportedly ‘asked’ City boss, Pep Guardiola about life in Manchester.

The Old Trafford club confirmed on Monday afternoon that the Dutch coach had left his position as their men’s first-team manager with immediate effect, in light of the 2-1 defeat to West Ham United on Sunday.

A statement from the club read, “Erik ten Hag has left his role as Manchester United men’s first-team manager. Erik was appointed in April 2022 and led the club to two domestic trophies, winning the Carabao Cup in 2023 and the FA Cup in 2024.

“We are grateful to Erik for everything he has done during his time with us and wish him well for the future. Ruud van Nistelrooy will take charge of the team as interim head coach, supported by the current coaching team, whilst a permanent head coach is recruited.”

That leaves Manchester United with a major decision to make over who will carry the club forward into another new era as the revolving door in the managerial position continues after Sir Alex Ferguson’s departure in 2013.

Among those linked with interest from Manchester United are Sporting CP’s Ruben Amorim, the former Borussia Dortmund head coach Edin Terzic, Germany boss Julian Nagelsmann, and former FC Barcelona manager, Xavi.

The latter has seemingly already taken steps to understand what life in Manchester is like, by speaking directly to somebody who knows the city all too well, and someone whom he has worked closely with for a long period of his football career.

That is according to the information of Manchester City insider ‘Tolmie’s Hairdoo’ on X, who reports that the former FC Barcelona midfielder and head coach, Xavi has now asked Etihad Stadium boss, Pep Guardiola about life in Manchester.

Xavi worked alongside Pep Guardiola for one of Barcelona’s most successful periods in the club’s history, as the latter burst onto the managerial scene with a hugely successful three-year spell at the Camp Nou.

Beyond their time working together in La Liga, the pair have remained in contact and particularly as Xavi works his way into the managerial game and looks towards a new challenge following a somewhat underwhelming return to Barcelona in the coaching role.

Speaking in 2023, Xavi said of his former manager and current Manchester City tactician, “Pep Guardiola has been the most influential person in the world of football in the last 15 years.”